Inside his dilapidated house, Michael was cleaning up. One could say it was cleaning up but, other people would immediately say, he was renovating.
*crash*
Michael threw out a large box full of worthless junk. After sorting out the trash he found in the junkyard, Michael immediately set to throw out the parts he didn't want. He almost threw the blade from the constant insults coming from Demiurge.
"Will you just sush! I need to make some form of protection. You saw what happened earlier, if it wasn't for Jordan, I would be dead by now or at least in some form of excruciating pain."
"Why do you want to be an artificer?" Demiurge asks while studying the faded magical enchantments on the junk Michael brought in.
Michael puts the junk down and lies on the bed. "Well... it's the only thing i'm good at."
"So you're only doing it, because you can't do anything else? Isn't that pathetic?"
Michael sighs and looks at his hands. His hands are full of calluses and slight extra skin. It was the hand of someone who made, created, and forged something either meaningful or meaningless.
"But... if I don't, then what will I do? Isn't that more pathetic? Doing nothing, only waiting for my inevitable demise." Michael thinks of everything that has ever happened in his life.
Michael studies his hands. "We humans have only limited lifespans and in the end we'll all die. Isn't that meaningless? That whatever we do, in the end we die. Even the strongest mages eventually die, unless they cheat death, and not everyone has the will to do that. I don't want to live a meaningless life where I'll be stuck in this worthless heap of trash. So I take up artificing, I want to be realistic and despite my wishes and goals, I truly want to make my life meaningful. After all isn't that what life means, to give it meaning?"
Demiurge doesn't answer and simply thinks about Michael's question and answer.
"Do you intend to transfer to a better college, where artificing is the focus?"
Michael chuckles "I wish, but I doubt any other college would accept me. No magical growth for over 3 years, what shitty talent is that!" Michael laughs at his own shitty talent. "If I can find a way to increase my magical level to at least novice, then I can try to enter the intermediate colleges as an intern and try to work my way as a student. I've spent my whole life stuck in the initiate level. Haven't you figured out why I'm cursed?"
"Not cursed, just unfortunate."
"Really? I feel cursed."
"I cannot give you any encouraging words, as I believe your situation is bleak, but if I do not help you, we will both be stuck in this miserable existence." Demiurge says with his morbid voice.
"How then?"
"I have an idea."
"What?"
"I believe that someone put a blocker on your abilities."
"A seal then?"
"Yes, a seal. It is utterly impossible for someone's mana growth to be 0, after 3 years of nigh perfect meditation."
"I know, but I once went to a hospital and had myself checked. All of the doctors and physicians I met told me that my body and magical soul has no problems."
"They're not able to detect magical seals created by a stronger being than them. If the standards of public hospitals are intermediate class mages then it would be obvious none of them could study your soul properly. Higher level mages can easily disguise and hide their spells from lower level ones."
"How high level can it be anyway? Advanced? It can't be mortal level right?"
"Considering your past memories... Probably it could be a demon level mage or a mana lord level mage."
Michael sucks his breath in. The level of magic is simple and very linear, as every level represents a new stage of power, as every level gives the magic user new abilities, separate from their already known spells. Each level of power is also separated into four sublevels, lower, mid, upper, and peak. The levels of power are as follows:
Levels of power
Special Ability of each level
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Initiate
- Basic and low level body enhancing magic available.
- Basic and low level spells become available.
Novice
- Shield spells become available.
Apprentice
- The Body is now able to permanently absorb mana, strengthening it.
Intermediate
- Mid level spells become available.
Advanced
- The mage can find a soul companion or soul pet, to form a soul contract.
Mortal
- High level spells become available.
Demon
- Higher Tier concept magic becomes available.
Mana Lord/Demon Lord
- Mana Lord/Demon Lord can develop their own mana domain.
???
- Undocumented levels of power.
"A Mana Lord? The country's strongest mage is a mana lord, how can that be?"
"That's such a low level."
That surprised Michael.
"What? I thought you've had hundreds of hosts before? How can you not know the basic history of our world?"
"World? You mean continent? There are at least three more continents out there."
"What! Then that means... there are other beings that are so much stronger than our country?"
"Yes. I recall a being called the king of the void. He's human and he's become so powerful that he can dethrone Paragon, if he so wishes but it'll kill him."
"...."
"Shocked you speechless"
"Yes you did. But as you said before, we shouldn't be talking about beings too powerful for me, as it will just impede my growth. Anyway how will we increase my mana?"
"As I said earlier, I do have a plan. Are you familiar with mana stones?"
"Yes... If your plan includes those... then it'll be nigh impossible. Those things are expensive! Even the cheapest ones are expensive. A single one of those are worth in the hundreds of thousands!"
"Other than that, we can try to find something to force your current mana to jump straight up. It's something similar to a bottleneck."
"I don't think three years of my mana not expanding is a bottleneck."
"You will need a lot of funds."
*ring* *ring* *ring*
Michael checks one of his makeshift alarm clocks and his face slightly pales.
"Oh... it's 4:00 am... I need to go to school..."
"..."
A huge square-like building that has 7 floors shows in the distance, as the sun slowly rises up the horizon. Its old stone walls were littered with graffiti and some growing vine. While looking dilapidated, this old building was actually the public mage college of the lower districts, called Fallen Phoenix. There are other colleges in the lower district but this was the only college that was funded by the government, due to the mandated magical education law.
At this early hour, a newly bathed and roughly dressed Michael was running at full magically enhanced speed towards the college.
"My deity Paragon, I'm going to be late!"
"It seems you value being early."
"Yes! I have to be, in public colleges you’re not allowed to be late or else you'll be immediately expelled!"
"A little harsh"
"Yes, they have to, because if students are wasting the money of the government, they're not worth it. It's not as harsh in high school, but it's because in college the students are actually given resources. The government would rather use their resources on individuals that are actually trying to learn and improve, instead of just slacking off."
The college gates were appearing in view as Michael sped up towards it. People were all over the vicinity, they were other students and school employees.
"Hey it's him..."
"Yeah that worthless person..."
"He should be thankful the college is giving him a chance..."
"I heard he stole a Mk. 4 magic focus from Barry..."
In his whole 20 year old life, Michael has heard every form of insult before, so this was a common occurrence to him. Most of the time, the insults were directed to his talent or lack of thereof but, every once in a while, he'd hear an insult directed to something he didn't do. Michael sighs, as he ignores everyone around him and he continues to run towards the college.
"MICHAEL! WHY ARE YOU LATE?!" A young male professor, probably around 24 years old was immediately screaming at Michael, the moment he entered the classroom. The professor was named Mallory, a new professor at Fallen Phoenix. Despite being new, he obviously hated here. He was regarded as a genius and a rising star, when he was younger but when he hit 20 years old he slowed down and the once regarded geniuses became average. He became extremely bitter about it and he's been trying to find a way to re-enter the realm of geniuses but he just became more and more average. His bitterness became worse, when he had to find a job instead of being offered one, especially when he had to come down to the lower districts. His hatred had not outlet and when he entered the school as a teacher the first thing he noticed was Michael, the embodiment of pure trash. He finally had something to vent out his anger.
"Sir I am not late. As you can see, I still have 5 minutes left before class." Michael was telling the truth, there was a clock in every hallway and classroom, and each one of them told the same time.
"You even dare to refute a teacher!" Mallory was pissed enough at it is and this failure of a human was talking back to him. Mallory was about to raise his hand smack Michael's face but another teacher walks by.
"Oh, hello Michael" A beautiful and lovely voice comes from a teacher that walked by. She has a stunningly mature blonde beauty, with a matching body.
"Good morning, Miss Acres." Michael respectfully bowed towards the titled 'Goddess of the poor'. Despite her rich background and above average talent, Pamela Acres decided to work for a public school, enlightening students with her knowledge. When Michael talked to her, he usually asked about meditation styles and spells that could help him improve. Thankfully she was open to helping and she gladly assisted Michael.
"She has good talent."
'You noticed as well? I used to think she was a super genius, until you came along. Now... I think she has average talent.'
"Already at advanced level at 22 years old. She is limiting herself by staying here."
'I told her that as well but she just smiled and waved my concerns.'
"I will never understand the sentimentalities of humanity. I find it stupid and worthless."
Michael doesn't reply and simply courteously bows towards Pamela.
"Good morning miss Acres!" Mallory immediately lights up, as he practically fawns over Pamela.
Michael doesn't say anything and quietly slips into class. Pamela is politely speaking with Mallory.
The other students ignore Michael as he goes in. Most of them are reviewing and studying.
"Your teacher is garbage."
'Yeah and his lessons are just as bad.'
"Any other garbage I should take note of?"
'Why?'
"I assume you want revenge on them as well"
'You know my quite a lot, even though we've only been together for a few days.'
"The heart does not lie and yours is very black, with a small speck of white. If you have not met that Lisa girl, you might have been a psychopath by the time we met."
Michael sat down at the back and immediately takes his notes out.
"You do not need to take notes."
'I know but any knowledge is better than none. Also it'll help if Mallory at least believes I'm listening to him.'
Michael felt tapping on his shoulder. Michael turns to see a fellow student.
"Michael thanks for your notes. It really helped." A young freshman male thanked Michael and returned him a small notebook. "I managed to reach peak initiate due to your help, and within a few months, I’m sure I’ll be able to reach low novice." Michael smiles and congratulates him.
"Good job! With that you'll be able to apply to better colleges and even find a good paying job in the future." The young freshman smiles happily but Demiurge comments.
"He already removed you out of your mind."
'I can guess that. People here are ruthless. Imagine having to live of water everyday, and not to mention, dirty water.'
"Then why did you help him?"
'Because as you said earlier, if not for the small good things, I would be a psychopath.'
The student left without saying anything else. Eventually Mallory enters and starts the class.
'Now how will we make money for that expensive mana stone?'
"I have a few guesses but you just gave me an idea."
'What?'
"How good are you at articulating your thoughts or my thoughts in this case?"